Skip to main content
Labor Center Labor Center
  1. UC San Diego Labor Center
  2. Labor Summer Fellowship

Labor Summer Fellowship

 Labor Summer People and Signs Logo

What is Labor Summer?

The Labor Summer Fellowship brings together San Diego and Imperial Valley students and local labor organizations who share a vision for worker justice. Over the course of an 8-week, full-time, paid placement with their host organization, fellows will engage in projects that build worker power on the ground and strengthen the social justice mission of the broader labor movement.

In addition to organizing experience, fellows will receive dedicated mentorship, as well as leadership and professional development training. Fellows will also join a UC-wide Labor Center network — a launchpad for labor-aligned jobs after graduation. Past Labor Summer fellows have gone on to work full-time with labor organizations; others have brought the experience gained to organizing efforts on campus and in their community.

For students passionate about workers' rights — whether you are already organizing for social justice, or looking to start — Labor Summer is an invitation to join a historic moment in organized labor, as described in the New York Times article "California's Wave of Labor Activism."

Application period for Labor Summer Fellowship 2027 starts in January 2027.

Applicant Information

The Fellowship takes place from mid-June to the beginning of August 2027 (8 weeks).

Please reference the Labor Summer Application Guide and FAQ for full details on the application and program. Applicants can be students and recent alumni residing in San Diego and Imperial Valley. 

For further inquiry, contact the Labor Center team at laborcenter@ucsd.edu.

Compensation

Labor Summer Fellows will be compensated. 

Eligibility

The Labor Summer Fellowship is open to all local college undergraduate and graduate students, as well as new graduates. Prior experience working directly in organized labor is not required. We encourage students from a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply.

We are committed to supporting applicants regardless of immigration status; undocumented youth, youth with DACA or TPS, etc. are welcomed to apply. For non-UCSD undocumented students, support mechanisms will be assessed on an individual basis (e.g. based on institution); please contact laborcenter@ucsd.edu. 


Watch our Labor Summer 2023 Video:

Hey Union and Community Organizations!

If your union or community organization is interested in hosting student interns, please visit our Host Site Information Page to find out more and apply.